The ten day long Hornbill Festival 2022 made a colourful start this evening at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village, Kisama in the presence of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India.
Dhankhar inaugurated the festival by beating the gong along with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Later, Dhankhar released a postage stamp to commemorate the festival. He also visited the art gallery and morungs at Kisama.
Invoking traditional blessings, Yekhüsü Tureng from Porba village of Phek district said: "May the Nagas be a God fearing nation through Jesus Christ. May the Nagas live in unity. May the Nagas live honestly. May the Nagas be a blessed nation. May the Nagas be a prosperous nation. May the Nagas be a bold and fearless nation."
Honoured guests for the inaugural day—Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, Alam Gemmell, Trade Commissoner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India and Barry O'Farrell Ao, Australian High Commissioner to India also addressed the opening ceremony.
H Khehovi Yeputhomi, Advisor Tourism and Art & Culture Nagaland proposed vote of thanks. The programme was followed by a cultural presentation entitled ‘This is Nagaland.’